Splash Into History

Mellwood Interactive Art Show

By Laura Ross

Photos courtesy of Mellwood Art Center

The Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center is ready to make a splash – literally – with its 10th annual September Art Show from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 and 9 at the sprawling arts complex. The free, family-friendly art show will also see the launch of the Mellwood Interactive Art Show.

The show will feature more than 50 local artists who have created a combination of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, digital art, industrial art, wood pieces and more. Live interactive art will be performed throughout the day, including creative children’s activities, face painting, sand and tie-dye art stations, a photo station and live mural art designed by noted artist Braylyn Resko Stewart. The event will also feature yoga, Zumba and performances by CirqueLouis, Fierce Dance Academy and MM Voice Studio.

New to this year’s event is the balloon-fueled “Splash into History.” Participants will purchase two balloons filled with paint for $1 and throw the balloons onto the metal layout of the Mellwood building directly facing Mellwood Avenue.

“Not only is this a fun way to create art and support a local charity, but after the show, the metal pieces will be taken from the building and crafted into sculptures by local artists,” said Bridget Clark, creative director of Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center. “The sculptures will remain on site at Mellwood, making participants a part of history.”

Mellwood is donating all proceeds from the balloon splash to Gilda’s Club Louisville, which provides support for men, women and children living with cancer. Since opening in 2007, Gilda’s Club Louisville has served 7,500 people living with 55 different types of cancer. One quarter of those served are children.

“Through free programs that include more than 100 monthly support groups, lectures, workshops, healthy lifestyles offerings and social activities, Gilda’s Club brings education, camaraderie and laughter to its members so that no one faces cancer alone,” said Suzanne Goldring, marketing and communications director for Gilda’s Club Louisville.

“We are ecstatic that this year’s Interactive Art Show is supporting the mission of Gilda’s Club Louisville. Their mission ensuring no one is alone when facing cancer is a mirror of the community of artists we are building here at Mellwood Art Center,” said Clark.

“We are fortunate to have such an abundance of talented, philanthropic artists in our community,” added Goldring. “Art offers an opportunity to express feelings in ways that no other outlet can. Art is healing, and we are grateful that the families living with cancer in our community will benefit from this innovative event.”

Clark is eager for this year’s show at Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center, which has come a long way from its decades as the Fischer Meat Packing Company. The former plant was renovated into a 360,000-square-foot home to more than 200 artist studios, four event rooms, specialty stores, galleries, teaching studios, office spaces, rehearsal spaces, dance studios, gyms and more.

“We are constantly renovating new areas to expand our community and retail areas,” said Clark. “We will start construction on our largest room yet in 2018. We constantly strive to promote local businesses and artisans.”

It’s business as usual – or unusual – which is what Clark enjoys. She took over the reigns as creative director of the Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center in 2016. She arrived in Louisville from New York City, where she worked in the fashion industry and created her own ceramic company.

“Mellwood is significantly intertwined in the already thriving artists community that surrounds Louisville,” said Clark. “Creating an artistic synergy between Mellwood and the community ensures that the facility and its patrons will continue to flourish with the evolving artists that envelop Louisville.

“In today’s world, I feel it is more important than ever to hold artistic and creative outlets at a higher regard,” added Clark. “Expressing yourself through art creates a continual conversation between people that no social barrier can stop.” VT

Mellwood Interactive Art Show

Sept. 8 and 9

1860 Mellwood Ave.

mellwoodartcenter.com

502.895.3650

Featured artists and vendors at the Mellwood Interactive Art Show include: